Ocean State Theatre Company celebrates the season with ‘Miracle on 34th Street, The Musical’

Posted
Wednesday, November 27, 2013 1:00 pm

Ocean State Theatre Company (OSTC), which recently launched its first full season in its new state-of-the-art theatre in Warwick, is proud to present the musical adaptation of the popular holiday favorite, “Miracle on 34th Street.” The New England premiere, with additional underwriting provided by Radisson Hotel Providence Airport, will run at Ocean State Theatre from December 4-29.

“Miracle on 34th Street, The Musical” follows a white-bearded gentleman who claims to be the real Santa Claus. He not only fosters camaraderie between Macy’s and Gimbel’s, he convinces a divorced, cynical, single mother, her somber daughter and the entire state of New York that Santa Claus is no myth. Filled with humor, spectacle and delightful songs, written by The Music Man’s Meredith Willson, this joyous, heart-warming musical is the perfect holiday treat for the whole family.

Ocean State Theatre Company is thrilled to welcome Barbara Hartwig, who choreographed OSTC’s critically acclaimed production of Crazy For You (2009), who will both direct and choreograph. She will be joined by local musician Esther Zabinski, who music directed the company’s Inaugural Season production of “RENT.” The cast includes New York performers Richard Koons, Megan Wheeler and Jeffrey Funaro as Kris Kringle, Doris Walker and Fred Gaily. Brigid Fitzgerald of Kingston, seen this past summer in Annie at Theatre By The Sea, will portray 9-year-old Susan Walker, while Matt DaSilva of North Providence, who was seen in OSTC’s recent production of Les Misérables, and Mark S. Cartier, who portrayed Mishkin in the Inaugural Season production of Fools, portray Marvin Shellhammer and R.H. Macy. Other local performers include Alexis Berlinger and Rosie Sowa of Cumberland, Melissa Buriak of Newport, Derek Capobianco and Devin Marchany of Cranston, Josh Christensen of Warwick, Taavon Gamble of Wakefield, Desirée Justin of Rehoboth, Daniel Larson of Smithfield, Marissa Silva of Woonsocket and Hannah Spacone of Providence. Local children in the cast include Jessica Arsenian of South Kingstown, Connor Buonaccorsi and Amaryllis Miller of Cranston, Jerry Carino of Pawtucket and Sydney Carriero of Somerset.

“Miracle on 34th Street, The Musical” will be presented at Ocean State Theatre from December 4-29. Previews are scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m. and Thursday, Dec. 5 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. All other performances will be held Wednesday (except Dec. 11 and 25) through Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m., with matinees on Thursdays (except December 19 and 26), Saturdays at 2 p.m. (except Dec. 7 and 28) and Sundays at 2 p.m. A special Sunday evening performance has also been scheduled for Dec. 15 at 6:30 p.m. Conducting Conversations Live!, a free post-show discussion hosted by WCRI’s Mike Maino, will follow the 2 p.m. performance on Sunday, Dec. 8. The new post show Piano Bar Series, will continue with “Under the Mistletoe” and will be held following Friday and Saturday evening performances (beginning at approximately 10:15 p.m.) in the theatre’s lobby on December 13, 14, 20 and 21.

The theatre is located at 1245 Jefferson Blvd., Warwick. Tickets are $39 for preview performances and $39-$54 for all other performances. Discount rates for groups of 20 or more are available by calling 921-1777 x112. $30 “Rush” tickets are available on a limited basis one hour prior to curtain on the day of the performance. Tickets are on sale at the box office Monday through Friday from 12 noon-6 p.m., Saturdays from 12 noon-4 pm, and from 12 noon until curtain time on performance days. Tickets are also available online 24 hours a day at www.OceanStateTheatre.org and via telephone during normal box office hours by calling 921-6800.

The Warwick Beacon is having a Christmas Decorating Contest! Winners will receive a family FOUR PASSES to Trinity Rep. Live in Warwick and decorate your house for Christmas? Enter today by registering and posting a photo!